He was shot in the line of duty the night on June 25 while responding to a domestic dispute between two brothers. At 10 p.m. on Saturday, Navajo Nation police arrived at a residence in the small town of Kaibito just south of Page, Arizona. The brothers, who had reportedly been fighting, appeared to have been drinking.

Sgt. Curley took one of the brothers, Tyson Bigman, to his patrol vehicle. The complaint alleges Victor Bigman then fired four shots, killing Sgt. Curley.

Sgt. Curley returned fire, and Victor Bigman is currently hospitalized in critical condition. A conviction for First Degree Murder carries a maximum penalty of death or life in prison, a $250,000 fine or both.

“We are deeply saddened by the death in the line of duty of Sgt. Darrell Curley,” said U.S. Attorney Dennis K. Burke. “Our thoughts are with his family and colleagues as we work diligently to advance this murder investigation and seek justice for this incomprehensible crime.”

“As we move forward in this investigation we are mindful of Sgt. Darrell Curley’s family and colleagues at the Navajo Department of Public Safety,” said John A. Strong, the acting FBI special agent in charge with the Phoenix Division. “We will continue to utilize the necessary resources to ensure that justice is served. Today’s charges are the culmination of efforts by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Navajo Department of Public Safety, the Arizona Department of Public Safety, and the United States Attorney’s Office.”

The investigation in this case was conducted by Navajo Nation Department of Public Safety, Arizona Department of Public Safety and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution is being handled by Camille Bibles and Roger Dokken, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, District of Arizona, Phoenix (Tucson).